African Renaissance

The African Renaissance is the concept that African people and nations shall overcome the current challenges confronting the continent and achieve cultural, scientific, and economic renewal. The African Renaissance concept was first articulated by Cheikh Anta Diop in a series of essays beginning in 1946, which are collected in his book Towards the African Renaissance: Essays in Culture and Development, 1946-1960. This concept has been further popularized by former South African President Thabo Mbeki during his term of office, and it continues to be a key part of the post-apartheid intellectual agenda. It has found new expression and momentum within the International Decade for People of African Descent through the Door of Return initiative which is coming out of the historical Maroon community of Accompong Jamaica in cooperation with Nigeria, Ghana and Zimbabwe.[1][2] The revival is being led by Accompong Finance Minister Timothy E. McPherson Jr. and Nigeria's Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, Hon. Abike Dabiri.[3]

African Renaissance Monument, Dakar

Origins

Cheikh Anta Diop wrote a series of essays as a student from 1946 to 1960, charting the development of Africa. The essays, which are seen as a form of blueprint, are collected in book form as Towards the African Renaissance: Essays in Culture and Development, 1946-1960.[4]

In 1994 in South Africa following the first democratic election after the end of apartheid, and was clarified with then-Deputy President Mbeki's famous "I am an African" speech in May 1996 following the adoption of a new constitution:

I am born of a people who are heroes and heroines [...] Patient because history is on their side, these masses do not despair because today the weather is bad. Nor do they turn triumphalist when, tomorrow, the sun shines. [...] Whatever the circumstances they have lived through and because of that experience, they are determined to define for themselves who they are and who they should be.[5]

In April 1997, Mbeki articulated the elements that comprise the African Renaissance: social cohesion, democracy, economic rebuilding and growth, and the establishment of Africa as a significant player in geo-political affairs.

In June 1997, an advisor to Mbeki, Vusi Maviembela, wrote that the African Renaissance was the "third moment" in post-colonial Africa, following decolonization and the outbreak of democracy across the continent during the early 1990s. Deputy President Mbeki himself melded the various reforms he had discussed to a tone of optimism under the rubric "African Renaissance" in a speech in August 1998[6]

September 1998 Conference

On 28–29 September 1998, there was a conference on this theme in Johannesburg. This was attended by some 470 participants. A book was published in 1999 with this title. Thabo Mbeki, keynote speaker at the opening plenary session, wrote the book's prologue. The volume's thirty essays are arranged under general topics largely corresponding to those of the conference's breakaway sessions: "culture and education, economic transformation, science and technology, transport and energy, moral renewal and African values, and media and telecommunications."[7]

African Renaissance Institute

On 11 October 1999, the African Renaissance Institute (ARI) was founded at an inaugural meeting in Pretoria.[8] It has its headquarters in Gaborone, Botswana.[9] Initial institute focus includes development of African human resources, science and technology, agriculture, nutrition and health, culture, business, peace and good governance.[10] Okumu in his book titled The African Renaissance writes very keenly on the importance of developing science and technology:

The most important and primary role of the African Renaissance Institute now and in the coming years is to gather a critical mass of first-class African scientists and to give them large enough grants on a continuing basis, as well as sufficient infrastructure, to enable them to undertake meaningful problem-solving R&D applied to industrial production that will lead to really important results of economic dimensions.[11]

Description

Among other things the African Renaissance is a philosophical and political movement to end the violence, elitism, corruption and poverty that seem to plague the African continent, and replace them with a more just and equitable order. Mbeki proposes doing this by, among other things, encouraging education and the reversal of the "brain drain" of African intellectuals. He also urges Africans (led by African intellectuals) to take pride in their heritage, and to take charge of their lives. For Noel Moukala of *Renaissance africaine, no African Renaissance without African Unity. When Africans overcome their differences to unite, they can then talk about African Renaissance. [12]

Okumu argues that in favor of perceived African cultural traits he believes are worthy of preservation and continuation. These include such aspects of interpersonal relations as "social inclusion, hospitality, and generous sharing." In addition there is attentive and perceptive listening to others. Also he argues, social acceptance is not based on wealth, but on the basis of relationships to others. Individuals together support their extended family, avoiding the extremes of dependency and paternalism.[13]

Other individuals seen as being the "new generation of African leaders" that would accomplish the goals of the African Renaissance were President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda.

See also

References
  1. http://www.atqnews.com/ng/4-nations-door-drive-tourism-diaspora/
  2. Olufowobi, Kamil. "Why the 'door of return' is open for people of African descent". cnn.com.
  3. "Nigeria: Lagos to Open 'Door of Return' to Africans During Diaspora Festival in Badagry". 15 June 2017 – via AllAfrica.
  4. "Review: Cheikh Anta Diop. Towards The African Renaissance". Africaspeaks.com. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
  5. Thabo Mbeki. (08-05-1996) Statement on behalf of the African National Congress, on the occasion of the adoption by the Constitutional Assembly of "The Republic of South Africa Constitutional Bill 1996" Archived June 15, 2006, at the Wayback Machine Office of the President.
  6. Thabo Mbeki. (08-13-1998) The African Renaissance Statement Archived 2002-10-20 at the Wayback Machine Office of the Executive Deputy President.
  7. Malagapuru William (ed.), African Renaissance, Mafube and Tafwelberg, Sandton and Cape Town, 1999, p. ii.
  8. Washington A. J. Okumu, 2002, p. 157.
  9. Okumu, 2002, p. 17.
  10. Okumu, 2002, p. 267.
  11. Okumu, 2002, p. 170.
  12. Okumu, 2002, p. 12.
  13. Okumu, 2002, pp. 7-8.

Bibliography
  • Malegapuru William Makgoba, ed., African Renaissance, Mafube and Tafelberg, Sandton and Cape Town, 1999
  • Washington A. J. Okumu, The African Renaissance, Africa World Press, Trenton, N.J. and Asmara, Eritrea, 2002, ISBN 1-59221-012-0, ISBN 1-59221-013-9 (pbk)
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